Control measure
Hierarchy of control: Work at height
Control measure knowledge
This control measure is based on information provided by the Health and Safety Executive in relation to the hierarchy of control for working at height.
Any work at height must be risk assessed, properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people with the skills, knowledge and experience to do the task. Personnel must use the right type of equipment for working at height.
If there is a risk of falling that could result in injury and before any work is carried out, the hierarchy 'avoid, prevent, minimise' should be used:
- Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so
- Where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using either an existing place of work that is already safe or the right type of equipment
- Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, by using the right type of equipment where the risk cannot be eliminated
For the use of ladders for low-risk, short duration tasks, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has defined a short duration as:
‘tasks that take less than 30 minutes’
Incident commanders should consider measures that protect everyone who is at risk by considering collective protection systems before measures that only protect the individual such as personal protection measures such as a harness. Ensure when work is being carried out to continually monitor weather conditions.
Strategic actions
Fire and rescue services must:
Provide appropriate equipment to minimise the impact of a fall from height
Tactical actions
All personnel must:
Use any work at height equipment or safety device provided in accordance with training and manufacturer’s guidelines
Incident commanders should:
Manage risk for work at height using a hierarchy of control approach
Select the most appropriate work at height equipment for the activities and hazards identified
Monitor weather conditions when working at height
TRAINING SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and understanding
| Control measure element | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
Health and safety measures for working at height |
Understand:
|
The hierarchy of control for working at height |
Understand:
|
Protection measures when working at height |
Understand:
|
Weather conditions |
Understand:
|
Practical application
| Control measure element | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
All personnel must: Use any work at height equipment or safety device provided in accordance with training and manufacturer’s guidelines |
Demonstrate the ability to:
|
Manage risk for work at height using a hierarchy of control approach |
Demonstrate the ability to:
|
Select the most appropriate work at height equipment for the activities and hazards identified |
Demonstrate the ability to:
|
Monitor weather conditions when working at height |
Demonstrate the ability to:
|
- Control measureSituational awareness: Work at height
- Control measureSafe system of work: Work at height